Synthesis of platelet-shaped boehmite and γ-alumina nanoparticles via an aqueous route

Synthesis and characterization of gamma-boehmite and gamma-alumina nanoparticles with a platelet shape are described. First an environmentally friendly hydrothermal synthesis method is applied to form nanostructured. gamma-boehmite, starting from the hydrolysis of aluminium alkoxide. Subsequently gamma-alumina nanopowder is obtained after calcination of the gamma-boehmite at 600 degrees C. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals that the particle size gamma-AlOOH and gamma-Al2O3 lies between 30 and 80 nm. Furthermore, the nanopowders have been characterized by photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.